Wednesday, June 30, 2010

I didn't realize when I set this up the color was very appropriate for this time of year, it wasn't until just now I saw it. . . I did this little one today, plus a bigger one and then wrapped up the day beside a boathouse painting the ever changing light - that was HARD!

I thought after two paintings here I'd be all warmed up. Oh, no, no, it was decidedly not so. I pulled something out if it toward the end, but I spent a good hour wishing that little landscape would blow off the easel (accidentally, of course) and fall between the slats of the deck into the water. . . okay, that was intense. . . I might not be fully over it. . .

Other News: Brie, the office assistant, is up for a job promotion - she wants to be my agent.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Shhh, don't tell anyone - promise? What I'm about to tell you is between you and me, okay? I was drawn to this scene because the chimney was really crooked and really TALL - and - wait, remember, don't forget, you promised you wouldn't tell anyone - I ran OUT OF ROOM for the really tall chimney! HA!

I never draw anything out before I start painting, I make a mental note of composition plan and most days, really, I just want to start painting - so sometimes, these things happen.

When I was at the fifth grade class one wee-one started a painting and then asked for a new canvas, because she "knew what to do now."

I know exactly what she means.

On that note, I've been doing live, free demos on Saturdays around noonish. . . if you are in the Hingham Square area, come on by. . . look for me. . . beside, behind White Magdelena. . .

Friday, June 25, 2010

This echinacea flower looks like one of those little umbrellas in those drinks, all I need is a coconut shell. It is Friday, so cheers!

Sometimes I take my images into photoshop and go to Image>Adjustments>Desaturate to see if my values are really working. I'm very color dependent, I admit, so I've been secretly working on my values too and the desaturate feature in Photoshop doesn't lie, but sometimes I wish it would.

Other News: Brie has a new frisbee.

More News Still: I'll be doing a free, live demo at White Magdelena on Saturday at noon (ish) come on by.

Lastly: Brie finally stayed still long enough to paint her, after she crashed from her peanut butter high. . . if you are interested in purchasing the painting of her, let me know, there's no link. And now that I've painted her, is she considered a tax write off? Or maybe the peanut butter used to sedate her is?

SOLD -

Brie is insisting on a percentage, since it's a painting of her. . . more squeaky toys on the brain, no doubt.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

I went on location again today (the living room) and I chased Brie around, I thought I would try to paint her - but this pea colored chair proved a much more cooperative and less hyperactive subject. I've also been painting hydrangea today and some other stuff. . . but I think I'll bring those to White Magdelena this weekend.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

SOLDSo, I briefly thought I should paint eight hours a day because I watched a documentary, "Spellbound." It's about eight kids who get into the National Spelling Bee competition and these kids studied at least eight hours a day - I found their drive and focus admirable. . . BUT then (as I was watching that movie, apparently) it became hydrangea season, just like that. . . the thing you should know about me and hydrangea is I find them to be THE MOST difficult flower to paint. I have now painted three hydrangea paintings since last night at this time. . . I'm still thinking about painting eight hours a day. . . I'm not actually doing it. . . but don't think even that's enough time to figure out these flowers.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

I couldn't sleep last night I was too excited. I recently opened my inbox to the most gracious invite from one of the inhabitants of the Glades to come on over and paint for a day. . . I wasted no time. . . today was the day. . . It's just so beautiful, unspoiled with expansive ocean views and beautiful fields of grass. Even the parking spot has an ocean view!

I did three little paintings of the red barn while I was there today . . .I'll post one painting today and live with the other two for a while.

Some daily painters paint more than a painting a day. And so do I, but the painting I post on the blog is always done that same day, for better or worse. . . If I'm having a bad painting day I might wait until the next day to post the bad one w/one that hopefully turns the corner a bit. . . sometimes it takes me three paintings to get one I am comfortable posting. Other days, they paint themselves and some days, I consider letting Brie paint! But today, was a good day!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Sooo, last night, feeling particularly brave, I tried my best to do an impression of what Karin Jurick would do. Armed with my shoebox of photos, I picked a good one. With THREE people, and feet and chairs, OH MY!

Because (if you haven't noticed) paintings of people and painting from photos are two things I don't do much of . . . but I'd like to. I see so many things I'd love to take a picture of and paint later. . . for now, I'm not sharing, I'm going to keep practicing, so it's not on the blog yet. Oh, it's labeled daily painting #390 and a half. . .

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Back to hiding beside buildings again - I really am enjoying my alley way behind (beside) White M - there's shade, a place to sit - plenty of things to look at, interesting lighting and the coffee shop with my all time favorite maple-oatmeal scones around the corner.

Other News: More never before seen paintings delivered to White Magdelena today!

More News Still: I'm a guest artist at a workshop this summer - I'm so excited - Page Railsback is teaching it - it's going to be good! - Here are the details;

Thursday, June 17, 2010

I had the whole day to paint and I waited until the end of the day hoping the sun would come out - it did not. . . so I had to fudge the lighting - I find it hard to go from painting outside yesterday to inside today, I wonder what that's all about?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

From this hill in Hingham, you can see the Boston skyline - it's a great painting place, a little bit of everything, fields, horses, cows and ocean. I had one failed attempt at a horse painting, those things move QUICK! They are now brown rocks in another painting. I did three little paintings today.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

I think so. . . the more I fuss, the tighter I get and and the freshness is lost - there's a sort of point of no return on those ones. I've been more aware lately of when that's happening and I try to put it down, start a new one quick and go back to the other one only deliberately in one or two areas after I've stepped away from the process a little.

Monday, June 14, 2010

A little discipline talk in response to a comment received on yesterday's post;

"I'm so curious how you have disciplined yourself to do this.

Do you paint at the same time every day?

At home or in a studio? Has it been difficult to be consistent?"

I prefer to paint first thing in the morning when I get up, so nothing else gets in the way, but I can't always do that - so, I paint when I can fit it in now. BUT at the beginning I made sure I set aside a block of time - predetermined - and stuck to it so I wouldn't miss a day.

I paint in my home - in an extra room set aside for just this, unless I venture outside - I have found it helpful to have a designated area w/my paints and everything set up all the time. I would set up a corner of a room if I didn't have a whole room I could use. It's been really important.

Some days are easier than others - the days I am feeling like there's nothing to paint, are the days that become the most enjoyable, maybe because I don't have a preset notion in my head? No expectations maybe?

Sunday, June 13, 2010

New, never before seen paintings have been delivered to White Magdelena this weekend in Hingham Square - and now I'm starting on some bigger ones - or wanting to start on some bigger ones. . . any suggestions?

Saturday, June 12, 2010

I did it, I got to paint outside before the rain - it was sprinkling a little, but I set up anyway, because as as someone wise stated, as I was talking myself out of painting outside, "you can't wait for the weather."

Oh, so true.

So, I painted beside White M, not in the back, not in the front but right in the middle - that was a good compromise. . .

Friday, June 11, 2010

Here's a still life set up on the back porch with Brie by my side (okay, in the grass, by my side, in the grass, by my side, then trying to eat paint, wait, no trying to eat paper towels, no, no, wait, the paint was much better, more of a response from the humans, are they mad or do they think I'm cute?) and P.O.P. (painting outside partner) who aided in painting and warding off aforementioned cute, but hyperactive, fluffy dog (good grief).

Somehow, despite someone's (Brie) antics to eat dinner and also everything within a twenty foot vicinity we managed to get two paintings done, combined. We are multi-taskers; painters AND protectors of the fluffy-butt.

Other News: This is only about an eighth of the amount of strawberries I've gathered from my garden this week. I am now accepting strawberry recipes, preferably baked goods, with no more than say, seven ingredients that I can freeze when made. I would LOVE a lesson in making preserves - fyi. . . barter anyone?

More News Still: Painting outside at White Magdelena tomorrow (Saturday) from eleven-ish - to one-ish - If I'm feeling bold, I'll be out front, if I'm in shy mode, I'll be in the back - come on by. . .

Thursday, June 10, 2010

So, in this demo, I managed to do precisely what I told them not to do for composition! HA! I've since improved upon it, but my goodness, I had these little tomatoes lined up just like bowling pins. They were polite and didn't point it out. . . phew!

Have I mentioned the colors they made?! They were fantastic! I saw the most amazing muted pink, a fantastic purple, beautiful grays and OH the greens, because, of course, I brought my favorite mid-century modern GREEN linen napkins.

We used the primaries and white for paint and paper plates for palettes - and someone even cut cardstock down to squares for me - thanks to whoever did that, by the way.

So, this painting is what it is - I am just glad I didn't TOTALLY flub up in front of my audience of twenty-six!

Other News: Tonight I am practicing painting. What? Yes, yes, I'm practicing because I'm painting in front of a real live group of people tomorrow, a fifth grade classroom. OOOH, I hope I'm taller than them. Anyhow, all insecurities aside, it's a program called Arts Alive and it's their 10th annual event, "to raise awareness of art and artists all around us."

Sunday, June 6, 2010

SOLDThese roses are from my yard. I really can't get over the flowers that just happen here - and today is a big day. I mowed my first lawn ever. I know, I know - throwing caution to the wind again, it really wasn't that bad, it's a small yard ,mind you, even smaller since the garden has that mind of it's own.

Thank you for all the advice on tents, I have a bunch of leads now and I can't wait to get researching! I'll let you know which I decide on -

Other News: thank you to all the new folks who have come on by to visit - I hope you'll come back soon. . .

Saturday, June 5, 2010

I painted behind White Magdelena in Hingham Square today. I plan on doing this throughout the summer, come on by for a demo. . .

This is only the second painting I've done all by myself outside. I usually paint with other people or lately, in the company of dogs, but not today. Anyhow, what caught my eye was the dark area beside the building kind of under the base of the flag post. That was it, that little tiny bit of dark made me do it!

Other News: I need advice. What kind of 10' x 10' tent can I put up by myself for outdoor art shows? I went to Lowe's, but it was heavy and looked like I might get swallowed up if I tried assembly alone. If I do buy it I would strongly encourage all to attend the pre-show setup for what will most likely be an amusing and acrobatic ordeal.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

The strawberry patch is back - I have oodles of random radishes and now I have very many strawberries. In fact, I still have some frozen from last summer - I'm not sure what someone is supposed to do with all these. Muffins? Preserves? Facials?$100

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

It was challenging, one would move, so I couldn't get the window things right, my composition started off a little different too and then as the tide shifted, well. . . you know.

BUT did you see the cover of the summer LL Bean catalog? It is by Colin Page, I love his paintings! So, I was all happy to do boats, how he did that many on one painting is beyond me, I could only manage two.

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About Me

I mark each day with a painting. After 3000 days (including Christmas) I've no intention of stopping.
Painting, for me, is a physical act of being able to leave proof that I was there.
Having cancer as a young adult, I discovered living is not just surviving. I wanted a way to embrace each day, no matter how typical, so without excuse or hesitation, I begin each day by painting.
The small, intimate paintings of ordinary, everyday subjects reflect an optimism that outlasts the fleeting light and fragile objects. I incorporate strong and exaggerated light sources, allowing the light to fill the empty spaces where something else could be. The paintings create a structural framework of self-preservation.
Each of these daily exercises is a vital component of the project’s ongoing, infinite progression.